Ateneo warns of legal action against misinformation targeting student-athletes and staff
Ateneo de Manila University said it may take action against individuals spreading misinformation against members of its community following the deaths of their student-atheletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
In a statement, the university condemned what it described as a "painful" misinformation campaign circulating online as they continue to mourn the loss of the two students.
"Amidst our shared grief, certain parties, both online and offline, have continued to spread hurtful, baseless, and dangerous rumors directed at our men's basketball team," they said.
"These reckless actions are unjustly targeting our student-athletes, their families, and the broader Ateneo community-including our students, faculty, and employees," they added.
The school assured affected individuals they will "pursue all appropriate measures to protect and care for them."
"If necessary, the University will not hesitate to take legal action to ensure the safety and protection of our community members," they stressed.
The school further requested that any incidents of harassment, threats, or misinformation should be reported through their email at info+report@ateneo.edu, noting that "timely reporting is crucial to ensuring swift and appropriate action."
"Ateneo will continue to provide support services for the team, their families, and anyone in our community who is being targeted. Our campus ministers and counselors remain fully available to provide genuine accompaniment and care for as long as it is needed," they said.
"We appeal to everyone to keep conversations civil, grounded in facts, and deeply considerate of the welfare of others. Directing hate and threats against anyone will not be tolerated, especially as we work together to heal from this tragedy," they added.
The university is observing a 40-day mourning period for their deceased student-athletes.
Baterbonia and Adili lost their lives after being carried away by a rip current during a team-building activity at a resort in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8.
The Aurora police previously ruled the drowning an accident, and parallel investigations National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Aurora local government are ongoing, with initial findings showing no evidence of foul play.